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Cable Shrug Knitting Pattern (Outlander Inspired)

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This cable shrug knitting pattern will allow you to create a shrug with a cabled design.

I wanted to share with you another free knitting pattern that has been inspired by the TV show Outlander.

Scroll down for the free pattern or you can purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.

Outlander cable shrug knitting pattern

Inspired By The Outlander Costumes

Inspired by Claire Fraser wearing beautiful knitted pieces, the shrug is knit by working the honeycomb cable.

If you have never knit this cable before, it is fairly easy once you get into it.

It is very versatile, as it can be worn up high to protect your head when it is really cold, or down around your shoulders.

This is an intermediate-level knitting pattern, and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog, CF (cable forward), and CB (cable back) as well as knitting on circular needles to accommodate the number of stitches.

Visit the Outlander Pattern Collection Ebooks in my shop below:

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The Honeycomb Cable Pattern

The honeycomb cable stitch pattern is an easy knitting repeat of eight rows.

It looks really intricate to knit, but it’s actually quite easy, once you get used to the pattern.

Using knit and purl techniques, plus two simple cable techniques, you can create this beautiful and modern-looking design.

This is not a reversible pattern, meaning the wrong side looks different than the right side.

The cable abbreviations you need to know are :

  • C4B = Cable 4 Back. Slip 2 Hold Back: Knit 2 + Knit 2 from Cable Needle
  • C4F = Cable 4 Front. Slip 2 Hold Front: Knit 2 + Knit 2 from Cable Needle
Knitted honeycomb cable shrug

Outlander Cable Shrug Pattern

Notes

  • Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern. 
  • If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
  • You may sell items produced using this pattern.
  • Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.

Skill Level – Intermediate

Gauge

10 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 10 sts and 14 rounds in pattern.

Measurements / Sizes

Women’s small/medium

Length laying flat – 18 inches/46 cm

Width – 11 inches / 28 cm

To make this in a larger size – cast on more stitches – in multiples of 8 Stitches.

Outlander cable shrug

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

Needles

Notions

honeycomb cable knit shrug

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List

  • Approx – Approximately
  • Beg – Begin(ning)
  • Cont – Continue(ing)
  • C4F – Cable 4 forward – Slip the next two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the fabric. Knit the next two stitches from the left-hand needle and then knit the two stitches on the cable needle.
  • C4B – Cable 4 back – Slip the next two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the fabric. Knit the next two stitches from the left-hand needle and then knit the two stitches on the cable needle.
  • K – Knit
  • K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together P – Purl
  • M1 – Make 1 stitch
  • Rem – Remaining
  • Rep – Repeat
  • Rnd(s) – Round(s)
  • St(s) – Stitch(es)
honeycomb cable stitch

Pattern Instructions

Cast on 96 stitches, pm, and join in the round being careful not to twist sts.

  1. Round 1 – Purl
  2. Round 2 – Knit
  3. Round 3 – Purl
  4. Round 4 – Knit

Begin the honeycomb pattern >

  1. Round 1 – *C4F, C4B, rep from * to end
  2. Round 2 – Knit
  3. Round 3 – Knit
  4. Round 4 – Knit
  5. Round 5 – *C4B, C4F, rep from * to end
  6. Round 6 – Knit
  7. Round 7 – Knit
  8. Round 8 – Knit

Repeat rows *1-8* of the honeycomb pattern until the piece measures – 12′′ (this is just a guide – you can make it longer).

After the last row of the honeycomb pattern at your desired length – Knit 1 round.

Then cont like this:

  1. Round 1 – Purl
  2. Round 2 – Knit
  3. Round 3 – Purl
  4. Round 4 – Cast off (knit).

Weave in all loose ends.

honeycomb cable

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

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9 Comments

    1. Hello Sally, yes you can knit the shrug flat on straight needles, then seam the ends together. 🙂

  1. Hi Louise,
    The needle size looks so big, when I see the picture I should say Needle 6 (EU) ,, do you use a double threath or just a single very bulky. Hope to hear from you. Love all your patterns by the way 🙂

    1. Hello Barbara,
      I used size 12mm (US 17) needles for the shrug and yes I knit with two strands of yarn together with the yarn I had in my stash which was lighter weight in order to make a super bulky/super chunky/14 ply yarn weight.
      If you are knitting with yarn that is already super bulky/super chunky/14 ply yarn weight then you only need to knit with one strand.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  2. You published cast on 96 stitches ias that for the size small? I am typically a XS and am tying to figure put what to cast on??? Thank you for you help and beautiful patterns!

    1. Hello Wendy,
      The 96 sts cast on will fit a small to medium size.
      If you want to make the shrug smaller, you will need to cast on sts in multiples of 8.
      You could try 88sts or 80sts.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

  3. Hi Louise,
    I apologize if I already posted and asked this somewhere else🤪. I have adjusted the size down to 88 stitches to make it a size XS. As I always take an XS in coats and tops. And wear a size 2i n a dress. Would you recommend also adjusting the length of the shrug? Say not going the full 12 inches? I am already at 6inches and it looks very large (using your reccomended needle size and Alize Super maxi yarn 2 strands held together.). Thanks so much I love your patterns and am so happy I found you💕

    1. Hello Wendy,
      when you hold it up against your body – looking in a mirror too does it seem long enough?
      The length can also be adjusted to your own preference it doesn’t have to be 12 inches long.
      Perhaps also see what 12 inches in length looks like against yourself (again in the mirror) using a tape measure to try and see if you think it will be too long.
      I think if you keep a longer length it will mainly be worn as a shrug across the body but if it is shorter you may also be able to wear it as a cowl/scarf too.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise